A three-week non-credit course that introduces sailors to the spinnaker will be offered this winter by Orange Coast College's School of Sailing and Seamanship.

The course is designed for sailors with solid boat handling skills. Further, they must have terminology and points of sail down cold before taking the class.

The course introduces the spinnaker on the shields. Students will learn about spinnaker types, and how to rig, hoist, douse and jibe the spinnaker. The course will give students the skills they need to fly a spinnaker safely in moderate conditions.

The course meets on Sunday afternoons, Jan. 29, Feb. 5 and 12, from 1:45-6 p.m. at OCC's Sailing Center in Newport Beach. Registration fee is $125. Visa and MasterCard holders may register by phone and online.

OCC's Sailing Center is located at 1801 W. Pacific Coast Highway, between the Balboa Bay Club and Orange County Sea Scout Base. For information about OCC's sailing classes, phone (949) 645-9412.